'fabric of life' by aleksandra gaca at salone del mobile 2017

milan design week: in ‘fabric of life’, her first solo exhibition in milan, dutch designer aleksandra gaca presents her latest textile pieces for the 2017 salone del mobile edition. resulting from a 20-year career in weaving innovation and experimentation, the exhibition consists of a unique sensory environment in which gaca’s fabrics provide experiences ranging from the tactile to the visual and even auditory, as they muffle and absorb sound.

‘since we are constantly exposed to an ever-changing stream of digital information today, textiles are more important than ever for the feeling of safety and comfort they provide,” says the designer. ‘with their regular structure, harmonious weaves and […] sensory qualities – their ability to soften sound, their reassuring warm touch and their aesthetically balanced appearance – my textiles provide a much-needed sense of rest’. 

casalis architextiles, made from the ONDO fabric

during the salone del mobile, the ‘fabric of life’ exhibition by gaca will also be part of masterly, the dutch in milano presentation located at the palazzo francesco turati center. ‘fabric of life’ features the most recent 3D weaving techniques, materials and color of the designer. throws and cushions add a fresh angle to bloko, a fabric with a distinctive rectangular woven structure that offers a surprising gradient effect. even more, the architextiles art panels in acoustic fabrics reveal new geometric structures and dramatic contrasts. the exhibition also showcases panels made from ONDO, the latest quality from trevira for casalis — made especially for the contract market and is available in sixteen different colors. 

the 3D texture offers a striking gradiant color effect

being an early pioneer of 3D woven textiles, gaca often begins by designing a fabric using a handloom before transferring it to industrial machines. by doing so, she combines both craft and high-tech elements in a seamless process. ‘weaving is an ancient technology’, she explains. ‘I like to honour the emotional, deeply human quality of woven textiles while constantly pushing the boundaries of the industry’. 

the exhibition invites users into a sensory experience, between touch and perception

red colored ONDO textile

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom